Grundy Co. State’s Attorney launches ‘Operation Restore’

Program seeks to return unclaimed restitution to victims

The Grundy County State’s Attorney’s Office has been collecting restitution for crimes victims since 1980; however, the office currently has restitution money for more than 40 victims that cannot be located.

“Operation Restore” seeks to make crime victims whole by submitting restitution to crime victims that was paid by offenders. Restitution places crime victims in the same position they were in before the crime was committed.

“Unfortunately, it often takes offenders years to pay restitution and as a result, several victims lost contact with my office,” Helland said.

Receiving a tip about a crime victim’s new address will allow the State’s Attorney’s Office to compensate them. The State’s Attorney’s Office can be contacted at (815) 941-3276.

“Any restitution money that is not paid to a crime victim will remain in the State’s Attorney’s Restitution Trust Fund,” said Helland.

The Grundy County State’s Attorney’s Office will not be collecting restitution for crime victims after July 1, 2013; rather, restitution will be collected by the Grundy County Circuit Clerk. This transition is going to be made in order to gain compliance with Illinois law. Under Illinois Law, only the Circuit Clerk and not the State’s Attorney has the authority to collect and disburse restitution in criminal cases.